Dinghy Help for my 280DA

G

gnealon

New Member
Apr 8, 2009
570
West Babylon, NY
Boat Info
2005 280 DA, Garmin 4208
"Ship Faced"
Engines
Twin 5.0L Merc BIII
Hello, I need some advice from all you experienced boaters on choosing a dinghy for my new (to me) 2005 280DA.

Here is what I was between...

1. West Marine HP-275 High Pressure Airfloor w/ Merc 6HP 4 Stroke
1a. Boat is 53lbs and Engine is ~55lbs

2. West Marine HP-310 High Pressure Airfloor w/ Merc 9.9HP 4 Stroke
2a. Boat is 60lbs and Engine is ~85lbs.

I really didn't want to get involved w/ the davits and storing it on the swim platform. This is my first boat and I am taking delivery May 13th. The waters around LI near the shore are pretty shallow and the tide shifts could be 5 ft. So I wanted to make it easier on me to get to shore w/ the kids. If the boat is fast/fun enough to tool around with my son then that's a bonus. but my major use of it would be to get to shore. And I really don't mind doing a couple trips so if the boat could only hold 2 or 3 adults that's fine.

I have read all the threads here I could on dingy... but not too many mention how big the inflatable boats are when in the bag. Should I just go w/ a bigger inflatable since I am stowing it on deck somewhere (hopefully)? Or is the added weight of the engine not worth the bigger dinghy? Is it even possible to store a 9.9HP motor under a seat somewhere on deck of a 280DA?

Sorry for the million questions. I am torn and not sure what to do.

Thanks in advance.
 
I've found Sadler's post http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16788 to be the most helpful. However, like you and others, I'm torn on what to do as well. Our boats are a bit small for all that added baggage, but really want the convenience and added safety of a dingy. Ahhhh to dinghy or not to dinghy, that is the question.
 
ChuckW said:
I've found Sadler's post http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16788 to be the most helpful. However, like you and others, I'm torn on what to do as well. Our boats are a bit small for all that added baggage, but really want the convenience and added safety of a dingy. Ahhhh to dinghy or not to dinghy, that is the question.
Click to expand...

haha... you are right. It's such a hard decision. I have read his post so many times. But since he has a 290 (and I have a 280) his seating arrangement is much different. I was still nervous. Also, he finally settled on a 240LR. On the west marine web site, I can't even find it?!?! Only thing i can compare it to is the RU-260, but the damn thing looks so small in the store. ERRR... very frustrating! Thanks for the reply. Please let me know if you decide on something and how it works out for ya!
 
I've toyed with the idea of finding a spot down in the bilge to tuck it away. I have a genny so that space is gone, but I could conceivably hang the bag from the underside of the deck over the batteries. It would fit, but would it be safe? Then there's the where to put the engine. I have considered a transom mounted arm that will allow me to use the engine as a kicker engine on the boat as well.

Too many options. My head hurts on this one.
 
I have a 310 Sport (Wood Floor) & wish I went a size smaller. I think you will find the 310 is a lot to store on your boat. I do have a 6 HP motor. Are you planning to take the motor off each time? Lifting the 6HP is a bot awkward sometimes. I would think a 9.9 I would prefer to just leave it on the inflatable boat.
 
We use a zodiac with the rollup floor. Mainly to get from our dock to our mooring. Depending on how far we plan to go we either drag it up on the swim platform, pull it up on the bow and tie it down, or deflate it and put the bag in the cockpit (with the rear seat folded up).

You might price Zodiacs. Many of the West models are made by Zodiac, and I have found that the Zodiac dealer usally has a better price.

Henry
 
Henry Boyd said:
We use a zodiac with the rollup floor. Mainly to get from our dock to our mooring. Depending on how far we plan to go we either drag it up on the swim platform, pull it up on the bow and tie it down, or deflate it and put the bag in the cockpit (with the rear seat folded up).

You might price Zodiacs. Many of the West models are made by Zodiac, and I have found that the Zodiac dealer usally has a better price.

Henry
Click to expand...

Thanks Henry for the reply, what size zodiac do you have? Also, where do you store the engine? Thanks for the advice on checking out the zodiacs. I was under the impression that west marine was the same as zodiac. Thanks again.
 
Well you can pretty much kiss the whole back cockpit goodbye if you want to store a dinghy and outboard on a 280. If you are taking a 6hp 4 stroke on and off every weekend, plan on buying another before the season is done, because you will drop it in the water.

Here is what I did. 6.5' dink with a 2.5hp 4stroke. no where near a speed demon, kind of a wet ride. But just pull her up on the platform, strap her down and off you go.

IMG_0175.jpg
 
TurtleTone said:
Well you can pretty much kiss the whole back cockpit goodbye if you want to store a dinghy and outboard on a 280. If you are taking a 6hp 4 stroke on and off every weekend, plan on buying another before the season is done, because you will drop it in the water.

Here is what I did. 6.5' dink with a 2.5hp 4stroke. no where near a speed demon, kind of a wet ride. But just pull her up on the platform, strap her down and off you go.

IMG_0175.jpg
Click to expand...

TurtleTone, this is exactly the kind of advice I'm looking for... someone to tell me I'm a freaking idiot! haha What kind of dink is that? smallest I saw on west marine site was RU-260 (8.4 ft i think??!?)

Thanks again.
 
Mercury dink and mercury outboard. i bought the package at buster's marine for $1200 a few years ago. They sell new 1-2 year old models at discount prices.

Straps are ratchet straps tie down straps that you buy at like home depot. We have D rings on each side of the platform. The dink has two rings on the front, and two holes on the transom. Just buy some stainless bolts with a ring on the end to put the hooks through. Raise and lock the outboard, pull it up onto the platform and put two straps on the front, two on the back, ratchet them tight.

The dink is very stable under normal to roughish conditions. On plane, it's great. bobbing in choppy water and it will bounce a little on the platform but won't go anywhere.
 
You can fit 2 adults and a dog. Or one adult and 2 kids. Maybe two adults and 1 kid. Or 3 dogs and one adult. The 2.5hp gas tank will get you about 4 hours of cruise time (roughly 1/3 gallon). I keep a 1 gallon plastic gas can in the back for fill ups. 1 gallon lasts us about 4 weeks of heavy dinghy use.
 
Get the cover if you stow it like me or it will fill up with water from the spray.
 
gnealon said:
Thanks Henry for the reply, what size zodiac do you have? Also, where do you store the engine? Thanks for the advice on checking out the zodiacs. I was under the impression that west marine was the same as zodiac. Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Zodiac manufacturers boats for WM with the West branding. The local Zodiac dealer here is often much more willing to 'deal' than the WM store manager.

We have the Cadet 260, its 8'-6" long. No engine at the moment. I also bought an electric air pump, a good one, not the blow up pool toy variety. This pump has power to inflate and deflate the hull very quickly.

Mike is right, even folded up and in the bag it takes up a lot of cockpit space. I've only done this when we were going down to Boston, or up to NH (both more than 30 nm). Other wise we tie it up on the platform as in Mike's photo, or hual it up on the bow.

As for the size motor. I have lifted enough dinghy motors onto sailboats over the years to know that it is not if, but when, it will go in the drink. If you are going to remove the motor, get one you can lift, and use a safety line.

When it does go for a swim, you can at least reel it back in!.

Henry
 
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Can't you use a davit system on your swim platform to transport the dink? You need roughly a 32" deep swim platform.
 
B-fitting, you are confusing the issue with logic and sense.
 
Henry Boyd said:
Zodiac manufacturers boats for WM with the West branding. The local Zodiac dealer here is often much more willing to 'deal' than the WM store manager.

We have the Cadet 260, its 8'-6" long. No engine at the moment. I also bought an electric air pump, a good one, not the blow up pool toy variety. This pump has power to inflate and deflate the hull very quickly.

Mike is right, even folded up and in the bag it takes up a lot of cockpit space. I've only done this when we were going down to Boston, or up to NH (both more than 30 nm). Other wise we tie it up on the platform as in Mike's photo, or hual it up on the bow.

As for the size motor. I have lifted enough dinghy motors onto sailboats over the years to know that it is not if, but when, it will go in the drink. If you are going to remove the motor, get one you can lift, and use a safety line.

When it does go for a swim, you can at least reel it back in!.

Henry
Click to expand...

Awesome, yea I was planning on tethering the engine before i lift it out as a safety precaution. I went onto the zodiac marine web site, there isn't a "dealer locater". Any idea's on where to buy these boats? Thanks Henry for the advice. I like hearing for ppl who actually own the same boat.
 
TurtleTone said:
B-fitting, you are confusing the issue with logic and sense.
Click to expand...

:smt089

I figure I am going to have so much on my plate learning the new boat and just learning boating in the beginning... I would stay away from a major install like that for now. Thanks guys,
 
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